Lexie Bennett scored twice and Ryanne Robinson headed in a late equalizer as the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles drew the Florida Atlantic Owls 3-3 on Sept. 6 at Pickering Field in Fort Myers. The result extended Florida Gulf Coast’s unbeaten streak to four games and marked the Eagles’ second consecutive tie.
Bennett scored her first two goals of the season. Taylor Latini assisted on both goals, recording her first multi-point game as an Eagle. Florida Gulf Coast opened the scoring 13 minutes into the match when Bennett finished a chance from the right side.
Florida Gulf Coast rallies twice after halftime
Florida Atlantic answered in the 20th minute before taking a 2-1 lead in the 33rd minute. The Owls carried that advantage into halftime. Florida Gulf Coast had a chance to equalize in the first half when Ryleigh Acosta’s shot hit the right post in the 30th minute.
Bennett tied the match 10 minutes into the second half after receiving a pass from Kaitlin Gabelman, with Latini also credited with an assist. Florida Atlantic regained the lead 1:16 later to make it 3-2. The Eagles then produced the final equalizer in the 78th minute.
Sarah Greiner served the corner into the center of the box, where Robinson headed the ball past the goalkeeper. It was the first goal of Robinson’s Florida Gulf Coast career. Florida Atlantic had two shots blocked in the 85th minute, and Madara Bome stopped an Owls shot on goal shortly afterward.
Eagles hold statistical edge
Florida Gulf Coast finished with a 12-9 advantage in shots and led 6-5 in shots on goal. The Eagles also held a 6-4 edge in corner kicks. Florida Gulf Coast was called for nine fouls, compared with eight for Florida Atlantic.
The tie moved Florida Gulf Coast to 2-1-3 and Florida Atlantic to 2-2-3. The Eagles will host High Point on Sept. 12 at 4 p.m. at Pickering Field in their final nonconference game of the season.
Source: Original report